Worldviews and ideologies covered by HumanistsвЂ™ definition of humanism:Д¬ommunism, capitalism, nationalism, Nazism, utopianism, human-sanctification, transhumanism Worldviews and ideologies covered by Yuval Noah HarariвЂ™s definition of humanism: Both humanist and religious beliefs have influenced each other during their long history. Has evolved in parallel to the worldвЂ™s great religions, with humanist ideas dating back to ancient China, India, and Greece. Humanists have consistently opposed totalitarian ideologies as such doctrines have dismissed human rights and reduced individual human beings to tools in the pursuit of some вЂgreaterвЂ™ goal. Humanists reject all forms of ideological rigidity that do not open themselves to question and criticism. Totalitarian ideologies are antithetical to humanism. Humanism is responsible for вЂan age of intense religious fervor, unparalleled missionary efforts, and the bloodiest wars of religion in history (the conflicts of the 20th century).вЂ™ The crimes of Nazism, Stalinism, and environmental destruction can all find their origins in the central tenets of humanism. Does not seek the evolution of human beings into superhumans. Often shares liberal or socialist aspirations such as freedom and equality of opportunity however, acknowledges that no single political goal is of вЂsupremeвЂ™ importance and that human wellbeing often involves compromise between conflicting values. Encourages us to extend our circle of moral concern to all sentient creatures capable of suffering (see Jeremy Bentham, Peter Singer).Д¬an be divided into three groups: вЂ liberal humanismвЂ™, вЂsocialist humanismвЂ™, and вЂevolutionary humanismвЂ™, each with its вЂsupreme commandmentвЂ™ (freedom of the individual, equality within the species, encouragement of our evolution into superhumans) Recognises that the natural environment nourishes and sustains not only us, but all other life. Acknowledges the flaws in human nature, and seeks to work within such parameters to improve the wellbeing of human beings in the here and now.Д¬laims вЂthe rest of the world and all other beings exist solely for the benefit of species.вЂ™ Argues that the environment should be controlled and manipulated for human needs.

Recognises that perfection is an unrealistic goal. Seeks to perfect humanity or sees the perfection of humanity as вЂthe supreme good.вЂ™ Whilst rejecting the worship of human beings, humanism holds that all human beings deserve to be treated with dignity. Holds that everything is open to question and that to worship something puts it beyond enquiry and criticism. Rejects the worship of anything, including human beings (human beings should seek to take down the pedestal, not climb on top of it). Is a family of religions that вЂworship humanity, or more correctly, homo sapiens.вЂ™ Recognises that human beings have certain capacities and capabilities that are not shared in the same depth by other living creatures, but acknowledge that any differences between us and other animals is one of degree rather than of kind. Involves the belief that вЂHomo sapiens has a unique and sacred nature that is fundamentally different from the nature of all other beings and phenomena.вЂ™ What Yuval Noah Harari says about humanism We hope the below will help to clarify the distinction between HarariвЂ™s вЂhumanismвЂ™ and the more mainstream use of the word. A number of teachers and other educators have contacted us to help with this issue.

What they disagree with is that such a worldview is humanism by any conventional understanding of the word.Д¬lick here to learn more about the conventional understanding of humanism.Д«ecause of the popularity of HarariвЂ™s books, misconceptions about humanism have increased. Many humanists would agree that the worldview which Harari describes has been responsible for many of humanityвЂ™s greatest errors. This argument can then be taken by critics of humanism and applied as a stick with which to attack it. Harari holds that what he calls вЂhumanismвЂ™ has been responsible for many of humanityвЂ™s greatest catastrophes over the past hundred years: totalitarian regimes (Nazism and communism), the Second World War, and the destruction of the environment. Defining humanism in his own unique and unusual way, Harari seems unaware of the way the word вЂhumanismвЂ™ is most commonly used today, which is in many ways the direct opposite of the meaning he gives it. He uses the word вЂhumanismвЂ™ as a catch-all term to include a variety of worldviews and ideologies, many of which most humanists would see humanism as being opposed to. In these books, Harari uses a somewhat eccentric definition of humanism which many consider to be damaging to the humanist movement. Yuval Noah Harari has come into the spotlight over the past few years following the release of two books, Sapiens and Homo Deus, which have sold many copies.

Yuval noah harari criticism